Against the Grain: First Days and the Feeling of Potential
Against the Grain: dress (Target, $15), tights (NY&Co., $3), boots (random SC shoe store, $12ish), scarf (vintage, a gift from a cool old lady), bangle (H&M, $3), belt (thrifted, .50).
Today I am officially a PhD student. My first class- a theory and methods of religious studies course- ended just an hour or two ago and I’m all aglow with the singular pleasure of the academic pursuit. The fall weather and the joy of new knowledge are the perfect couple. In each there is a feeling of overwhelming potential and together they make me feel that happiness that shakes your hands. I love that school starts here just as the leaves are beginning to turn. The ivy burns orange outside the gothic windows of this building that so inspires me and I feel like what I learn here might take me anywhere. That is perhaps the best feeling in the world, even if where I go is only out into the crisp, damp air and grey light that makes me so love this city.
This outfit came together relatively quickly and was the perfect companion to this day of critical inquiry and 2nd graderish excitement. The dress itself is a bit camp counselor-y, but by combining it with the tights and short boots I think I gave it a bit of an unexpected edge. The scarf was for warmth (I didn’t want to wear a jacket, so every little accessory helps), but in the end I liked how it gave me a slight Amelia Earhart quality. Best of all, it made me feel special, in the same way that today is special. I felt singular, unassimilated, against the grain (Benjamin-style). What do you all think?
Sean: shirt (Nordstrom Rack, $18), grey tee (Urban Outfitters, $15), jeans (H&M), boots (Aldo, $45).
My friend Sean and I took these shots were taken against an abandoned building in my neighborhood. Even it seemed to be participating in my “everything is exciting and full of potential on this day” feeling. Its crumbling facade and fading graffiti seemed to speak of wisdom and the possibility of diverse forms of beauty. Also, haunted-looking old churches are just bloody cool. Right?
PS- I got my hairs cut. At long last I decided to return to the blunt bangs of my high school days. Any thoughts?
Congrats!!
And I love the photos!!
Did you get into the building? And the haircut looks good!!
Alas, we did not. I had to be off to class. Couldn’t go start my PhD covered in spider webs, right? Well, I guess I could have…
LOVE the hair!
Congratulations! The outfit is fantastic – so scholarly and kicky. Love the bangs, and love Sean’s shoes!
emily!!!!!! i LOVE your bangs – and these photos! great location. love your fall/safari tones!
You look great, I love the bangs
You make me want to go back to school… MA program here I come!
love the bangs. Congrats on starting back to school. I love the outfit…especially the minimalist dress with the patterned tights!
I love the sentiment of Autumn as beginning and the potential that it holds.
I am also extremely envious of your perfect fall day with the dewiness, the chill, the grey.
And indeed- a perfect and special outfit. I love your Amelia reference, and the tights/boots/scarf are just marvelous.
Cheers to you in your new adventure!!!
.Haiku
a) fabulous bangs
b) yay for starting your phD!
c) LOVE your first day outfit. The dress is soooo awesome with the scarf, boots, tights!!
So I already told you this in person, but you look AMAZING. Seriously, Emily, you look gorgeous. The style of this outfit is superb, but you are just glowingly beautiful in this.
these photos are romantically creepy…and stunning. i hope you get what i’m saying. they’re awesome, basically.
you know, all your talk of starting school and fall and the combination of the two…has me thinking of new supplies, the smell of freshly waxed hallways at school, shiny patent leather shoes, oh and sitting on the bench at recess for talking too much during class.
*sigh* oh to be young again.
(i realize you’re talking about a phd and i’m talking about 1st grade, but hey…this is what fall reminds me of.)
First day of school and all dressed up, you are always such a beautiful person inside and out. Who could put it into words so perfectly the excitement of starting another tough year of work.
The bangs……well you look just amazing……and the outfit, it may have come together quickly but it came together nicely
What a great location and a great outfit! Perfect way to kick off the year. : )
Woot! Congratulations on your first day as a PhD student! I wish you the best of luck in your scholarly endeavors!
More power to you! So many of my friends have gotten PhD’s and I have no idea how you people do it. I possess not even a fraction of the attention span it takes. Congrats!
And now… that DRESS! Holy crap, it’s fantastic. A+!